Sustainability

Respect for people, animals and nature

As a cheesemaker, Henri Willig is committed to bringing honest, distinctive, high-quality products to consumers. We also work closely with our customers, employees, and suppliers to conduct business responsibly, with respect for people, animals, and nature.

Our corporate social responsibility programme, Milk & More, focuses on people, animals, and nature. Through this programme, we continuously work to improve animal welfare, strengthen biodiversity, use raw materials and water responsibly, and make better use of residual resources. Every day, we take meaningful steps to reduce our impact on people and the environment.

Read more about our approach and results in our Corporate Social Responsibility Annual Report:

Our farmers

The Willig family grew up surrounded by animals on the farm. From an early age, they learned that only the milk from healthy, well-cared-for animals can produce cheese of the highest quality. Animal welfare and biodiversity remain an essential part of the Henri Willig way of cheesemaking. Together with our farmers, we continuously work towards responsible milk production with respect for people, animals, and nature. We are proud of the dedication of our farmers and the excellent care they provide for their animals.

It is unique that we oversee the entire chain, from the land to the customer. This allows us to consistently guarantee the highest quality and ensures that our cheese is produced attention to what we value.

Our cheese makers

Our cheesemakers are passionate about crafting the perfect cheeses with consistently outstanding quality. We do this at two production locations where craftsmanship and innovation come together. We continuously improve our production processes, with a strong focus on the efficient use of raw materials, energy, and water.

In Katwoude, next to the Willig family farm, you will find our traditional cheese dairy where our baby cheeses are produced. The milk from the cows is transported directly to the cheese dairy through underground pipelines. This eliminates the need for additional transport between the farm and the dairy, reducing diesel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

In Heerenveen, we operate a modern cheese dairy where our large cheese wheels are produced. Here, advanced and innovative technology goes hand in hand with centuries-old cheesemaking craftsmanship. The expertise of our cheesemakers is essential to maintaining our high quality standards. That is why modern technology is always complemented by human inspection. Every cheese receives its finishing touch by hand, one by one, with the application of the tissue wrap and our branded label. This gives every cheese a personal touch and ensures it is carefully inspected before leaving our cheese dairy.